Police: Former D-50 clerk charged $20,000 to district cards

By SHAWN SHINNEMAN - sshinneman@shawmedia.com

HARVARD – A former School District 50 employee charged more than $20,000 to a district credit card and Walmart card, according to police.

Krystal Ohlenroth, who was fired as the district’s accounts payable clerk Oct. 23, is charged with theft of more than $10,000 of government property, a Class 1 felony, and theft of more than $10,000, a Class 2 felony.

Harvard Police Chief Dan Kazy-Garey said the unauthorized purchases began in early 2012 and were for “everyday expenses.” “Some were cash, others were for entertainment, various clothing items,” he said.

The cards, a Visa credit card and Walmart credit card, were issued to Ohlenroth, Kazy-Garey said.

District 50 officials first reported the activity to the police department on Oct. 16 and held a special board meeting a week later. At the meeting, after hearing the results of an internal investigation, the board unanimously voted to fire Ohlenroth, who had been with the district for 11 years.

District 50 officials said they have changed the way finances are handled since the investigation started.

“The district has and will continue to take all necessary steps to reinforce and refine our processes and protocols related to financial transactions,” the district said in a news release.

Ohlenroth was arrested Dec. 28 and released on a $50,000 bond. She’s scheduled for a preliminary hearing Monday.

The Harvard Police Department reviewed the case with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office, which brought the charges last week.

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